A Method of Measuring Skin Lesions

To the Editor.— The delayed hypersensitivity reaction of the skin to various antigens has stood the test of time as a useful clinical tool. One disadvantage of this widely applied technique, however, is the difficulty of quantitating the degree of induration produced in the skin. This is especially important for research purposes when serial measurements must be done. We have recently found a method that overcomes this problem of quantification. The circumference of the induration is marked with an ordinary ball-point pen, and a piece of paper is immediately applied over the marking. In this way (Figure), the exact size of the area of induration then can be measured accurately by planimetry. This method also provides a permanent record of the test result. It also could be used to quantitate other indurated or nonindurated lesions of the skin. Illustration of method described.